More than 200 works bring together the life and work of photographer and resistance fighter Violette Cornelius (1919–1998). Much of her work remained hidden for decades and, following extensive research into her archive, is now being shown on this scale for the first time.
From 20 November 2026 to 28 February 2027, the Nederlands Fotomuseum presents Violette Cornelius Rediscovered. More than 200 works bring together the life and work of photographer and resistance fighter Violette Cornelius (1919–1998). Much of her work remained hidden for decades and, following extensive research into her archive, is now being shown on this scale for the first time.
Cornelius belonged to the first generation of women to make photography their profession. She studied at the Nieuwe Kunstschool in Amsterdam, where she encountered ideas from the Bauhaus. During the Second World War, she was active in the artists’ resistance and worked with the Persoonsbewijzencentrale. Her photographs of this resistance work were later recognised as important heritage on UNESCO Netherlands’ Memory of the World Register.
From Amsterdam to Mali, Iraq and Peru
After the war, Cornelius worked professionally in architectural photography, reportage and photobooks. From 1964 onwards, she travelled to countries including Mali, Iraq, India, Yemen and Peru. There, she photographed the social consequences of rapid urbanisation. By living and working among the people she photographed for extended periods, she developed an intimate and personal visual language, in black and white and increasingly in colour.
Many of these international reportages remained largely unknown for years.
Hidden in travelling cases
In 2003, the Nederlands Fotomuseum received travelling cases from Cornelius’ son containing thousands of negatives, slides, contact prints and documents. In June 2026, five additional cases followed, containing vintage prints, dummies, notes and books.
Curator Loes van Harrevelt researched the archive and traced works by Cornelius held in other collections. This research forms the basis of. Violette Cornelius Rediscovered. The exhibition presents more than 200 works, including vintage prints, archival material, exceptional loans and new prints.
Through this research and exhibition, the Nederlands Fotomuseum fulfils the mission to preserve, research and make photographic legacies accessible as a national knowledge institute.
Exhibition: Violette Cornelius Rediscovered
Dates: 20 November 2026 to 28 February 2027
Research, curation and texts: Loes van Harrevelt
Graphic design: Lyanne Tonk